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Hi all,

I'm looking for a copy of this controversial recording - can anybody help?

I work as Education Officer and Researcher at a military museum in the UK. I use my gramophones in educational activities with schools and also in public talks at the museum. I've been asked to do a presentation on 'Sounds of War' during next year's season of events. I've got plenty of material - songs and music from WW1 and WW2, along with studio recreations of landing in France in 1914, a military funeral, concert parties, the battle of Jutland etc. I've also managed to get my hands on Charles Garnder's Battle of Britain commentary along with the recording made on board the Lancaster raid over Essen on 25 April 1943.

What I'm missing is a copy of that gas shell attack (if that's what it is!) near Lille in October 1918.

Unfortunately, I missed two recent auctions here in the UK where copies were bought for £87.00 and £36.00 respectively.

If anyone has a copy I could buy, I'd be very grateful indeed - it's the last recording I need to make this talk work!
Thanks.

I recently made a reproduction copy of it. It came from a clean, early copy. A video of it is below. They're $40 plus actual shipping.

https://youtu.be/-gmAlngqyyg

I can't offer you a copy of the record, but I did write about it and a few other real or purported "sounds of war" recordings about three years ago. In case you're interested, here's a link: https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/sounds_of_war_e.html

The Autumn 2018 issue of the CLPGS magazine "For the Record" contains a well researched ten page article on the "Gas Shell Bombardment" record, which concludes that this was a genuine location recording which was later augmented in the HMV studio before it's commercial release.
Whatever may or may not have been done later, the facts are that Will Gaisberg went to France, made the recording, was gassed whilst there, and in his weakened state fell victim to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

drh wrote:I can't offer you a copy of the record, but I did write about it and a few other real or purported "sounds of war" recordings about three years ago. In case you're interested, here's a link: https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/sounds_of_war_e.html

Thanks drh - very helpful.

epigramophone wrote:The Autumn 2018 issue of the CLPGS magazine "For the Record" contains a well researched ten page article on the "Gas Shell Bombardment" record, which concludes that this was a genuine location recording which was later augmented in the HMV studio before it's commercial release.
Whatever may or may not have been done later, the facts are that Will Gaisberg went to France, made the recording, was gassed whilst there, and in his weakened state fell victim to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

I'll make sure I include this - thanks epigramophone

donniej wrote:I recently made a reproduction copy of it. It came from a clean, early copy. A video of it is below. They're $40 plus actual shipping.

https://youtu.be/-gmAlngqyyg

Thanks donniej

Really interesting and it doesn't sound like producing the reproduction was at all easy. I'm holding out for an original if possible, as all of the other 78s are authentic, and people will be able to come and view the discs at the end of my presentation.

If I don't hear from someone with an original, I'll certainly be in touch - your copy sounds really impressive.
Thanks.

78revolutionary wrote:

drh wrote:I can't offer you a copy of the record, but I did write about it and a few other real or purported "sounds of war" recordings about three years ago. In case you're interested, here's a link: https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/sounds_of_war_e.html

Thanks drh - very helpful.

Glad I could help in some small way. The presentation should be fascinating.